Sung Hanbin, the charismatic leader of the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE, recently sat down for an intimate chat with his alma mater’s official magazine. As a proud alumnus of Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts Department of K-pop, he reminisced about his college days. He also talked about his journey to stardom, and his aspirations for the future.

“I’ve wrapped up the activities for our debut album YOUTH IN THE SHADE and am preparing for our second mini-album,” Hanbin shared. His recent stint as an MC for Mnet’s M Countdown has been a dream come true, a role he had aspired to since his trainee days.

Reflecting on his debut with ZEROBASEONE in July, Hanbin expressed immense pride. “I worked really hard with the goal of debuting. Now, it feels like I’ve finally reaped the fruits of my labor,” he said.

Hanbin‘s participation in Mnet’s survival program Boys Planet, where he clinched second place, was a pivotal moment in his career. His performance of “Hot Summer” during the finals remains etched in his memory, marking the day he felt an overwhelming outpour of love from fans.

Sung Hanbin encouraged his juniors

He picked the school because of his passion for music and the class structure of the college. Hanbin choreographed a K-pop song for his college entrance exam. He confidently told the department head, “I’ll see you in March after enrolling!”

Balancing schoolwork with trainee life was very challenging. When asked about his inspiration to become a singer, Hanbin credited performances he watched in elementary school. The unwavering belief in himself and the guidance of wise mentors propelled him towards his dream. In challenging times, he seeks solace in familiar surroundings or indulges in chocolate for a quick pick-me-up.

Touting his “tutting” skills as his unique charm, Hanbin described it as a dance that uses one’s hands and arms to create movements in right angles and straight lines. “It’s appealing on screen,” he added.

For Hanbin, the Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts symbolizes burning passion and youth. As he gears up for his group’s second mini-album, Sung Hanbin urges his dongsaengs to stay the course, no matter how hard things get. “Believe in yourself and work hard. I’ll always support you. Fighting!” he said. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The interview was long, with many quotable quotes from Hanbin. Source: X/@roseslation.